Some question seeding of field in Seneca Valley

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Some Evans City residents are upset that a field used for multiple sports has been seeded and fenced off by a local football association.

The field is near Evans City Elementary School and is owned by the Seneca Valley School District.

"I grew up in Evans City and I loved to play softball on that field," said Julie Maze of Evans City during Monday's Seneca Valley School board meeting. "I think taking that away is taking away from our community."

The field was hydro seeded Oct. 26 by members of the Seneca Valley Junior Football Association at no cost to the district. It has been fenced to allow the grass to grow.

Heather Lewis, Seneca Valley athletic director, said the football association has been maintaining the field for years. "It is my responsibility to see that the fields are safe. I think seeding the field was a good idea. I support the maintenance work that has been done," she said.

Mike Del Duca of Cranberry, president of the Seneca Valley Junior Football Association, said the field, which had no grass on part of it, was an uneven and unsafe surface prior to the hydro seeding.

George Knochel, a member of the Evans City Athletic Association, said his group was unaware of the plan to seed the field, which has been in the same condition for the past 30 years.

Mr. Knochel said association members also were concerned because the field can't be used due to the seeding and the fence. The field normally is used by the Evans City Elementary pupils for kickball at recess.

"Baseball can still be played there," Mr. Del Duca said. "You will have a baseball field with a grass field," he said, adding that the grass can be removed from the baselines in the spring.

Some members of the Evans City Athletic Association told the school board they are working to improve the baseball program in Evans City. It has been on the decline recently due to the cost to the players, but they are looking for ways to reduce those costs, they said.

A second field at Evans City Elementary School, below the one that was seeded, is too small for use by anyone older than 10 years old, according to the athletic association members.

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